Alonso’s Boniface mistake & different speaking factors as Lookman powers Atalanta previous Bayer Leverkusen in Europa League remaining

Ademola Lookman delivered a efficiency for the ages to assist Atalanta declare their first-ever European title, beating Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Wednesday.

Atalanta’s victory within the Europa League remaining ended Bayer Leverkusen’s 51-game unbeaten streak in emphatic trend.

Listed below are the 5 greatest speaking factors from the extremely entertaining encounter.

Lookman, Leverkusen’s greatest nightmare

Ademola Lookman’s brilliance was the story of the evening.

His hattrick shattered Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run and denied Xabi Alonso’s group a historic triumph.

Lookman’s first objective got here from a cleverly labored transfer following a nook, with David Zappacosta dribbling into the field and selecting out the Nigerian ahead on the again publish. This opener boosted Atalanta’s confidence, and so they pressed with such depth that Leverkusen had no reply.

Lookman was a relentless menace for Edmond Tapsoba and the Leverkusen defence afterwards.

His second objective, a right-footed roller after reducing inside helped to additional improve Atalanta’s morale and cemented the Italian group’s dominance.

The Tremendous Eagles star’s hattrick was accomplished within the second half with a thunderous strike into the highest nook, following a swift counterattack and a superbly timed go from Gianluca Scamacca. Lookman’s efficiency not solely sealed the victory however etched his identify into Europa League historical past.

Gasperini’s best profession second

Gian Piero Gasperini, at 66, turns into the oldest supervisor to win a Europa League remaining.

For a person who was simply 5 years outdated when Atalanta final lifted a trophy, this victory was a career-defining second.

Gasperini’s adventurous and attacking model of soccer has lengthy been admired, and this triumph was a becoming reward for his modern method.

Lookman rewriting the file books

Ademola Lookman’s first objective made him solely the third Nigerian to attain within the remaining of the Europa League, following within the footsteps of Alex Iwobi for Arsenal and Joe Aribo for Rangers FC.

Lookman’s second objective received him into the file books as the primary African to attain twice within the remaining of a European membership competitors.

Together with his hattrick, the previous Everton winger joined an elite group, changing into the sixth participant to attain a hat-trick within the remaining of a significant UEFA competitors, and the primary since Jupp Heynckes within the 1975 UEFA Cup.

Curiously, Lookman’s objectives not solely introduced Atalanta their first European trophy but in addition ended a 61-year watch for silverware.

Gasperini outwitting Xabi Alonso

Gasperini’s tactical acumen was on full show. His recreation plan stifled a Leverkusen aspect that had not tasted defeat all season.

Atalanta’s excessive urgent and relentless strain from the primary whistle ensured Leverkusen had no time or house on the ball, successfully neutralizing their assault.

The Serie A aspect’s efficiency was a tactical masterclass. Gasperini’s technique requested his gamers to execute a selected job, and so they delivered flawlessly.

Whereas Alonso saved his finest strikers – Victor Boniface and Patrik Schick – on the bench till the second half, Gasperini unleashed his Nigerian import from the beginning and received rewarded superbly. 

The excessive urgent, mixed with Lookman’s scientific ending, made it an evening to recollect for Atalanta followers.

The tip of Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten run in Europe

Bayer Leverkusen entered the ultimate with a formidable file, having been behind by two objectives 4 instances this season with out shedding any of these matches.

Their unbeaten streak spanned 51 video games, together with an undefeated Bundesliga marketing campaign and deep runs in each the Europa League and the German Cup.

Nevertheless, on this evening, Ademola Lookman and Atalanta proved too formidable.

Leverkusen, who had prided themselves on their resilience and invincibility, discovered themselves outclassed and outplayed.

Atalanta’s triumph was not nearly ending Leverkusen’s streak; it was a testomony to their very own progress and resilience.

The victory might be remembered as a landmark achievement within the membership’s historical past, propelled by Lookman’s unforgettable hat-trick and Gasperini’s tactical brilliance.